Evergreen Responds to National Housing Strategy

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TORONTO, ONTARIO (November 22, 2017) – Evergreen, a Canadian not-for-profit and convener of the GTA Housing Action Lab (HAL), applauds the release of the National Housing Strategy. Evergreen and HAL, a collaborative of over 30 housing groups and experts, have long been advocating for a national housing strategy and we are encouraged by the comprehensive, evidence-based plan outlined today.

The National Housing Strategy acknowledges that as a country we face some critical interrelated housing challenges that are affecting Canadians' well-being and the future sustainability and affordability of housing. The $40 billion investment in Canadian housing underscores the importance of housing in a healthy urban ecosystem and goes a long way towards addressing some of the most urgent challenges for building flourishing cities.

“Affordable housing is an integral part of complete communities,” said Michelle German, Evergreen’s Senior Manager of Partnerships and Policies. “This is the beginning of a regulatory framework that will encourage diversity in housing form and tenure, intensification and affordability. Supported by incentives from municipal and provincial governments, it can address the needs of its residents while creating an economically viable housing sector.”

The announcement of a national housing benefit, designed to support 300,000 households across the country, is a landmark initiative that increases support for the affordability of housing and puts poverty reduction at the core of the plan.

The $241 million investment towards evidence-based housing, aimed to support research, data and demonstrations presents a major opportunity for collaborative groups to participate in shaping cities for the better.

We look forward to working with governments across Canada and our partners to implement and refine this strategy as we continue to build the best cities in the world.

About Evergreen: Since 1991, Evergreen, a not-for-profit, has provoked bold action in transforming public landscapes into thriving community spaces. We believe that connecting people, natural and built worlds create flourishing cities for the future. For more than 25 years Evergreen has connected, collaborated, and catalyzed Canadians to do amazing things positively affecting attitudes and behaviours that lie at the core of a sustainable city. For more information visit www.evergreen.ca